The Chillicothe Hornets matched up against the Savannah Savages in the first round of the Class 2 District 8 tournament form St. Pius in Kansas City. Savannah entered at 13-5 on the season as the 4 seed, while Chillicothe was given the 5 seed following an 8-8 regular season.
The Savages won both regular season meetings but Chillicothe was undaunted from the opening kickoff. Less than 10 minutes into the match, Aaron Snider took the ball down the left sideline and played Josh Ojeaga into the penalty box. Ojeaga beat the defender and blasted a ball from a tight angle near the end-line. The left footed shot went through the keepers gloves, and the power propelled the ball into the net to open the scoring for Chillicothe.
Savannah responded 7 minutes later with the equalizer on a goal by Aiden Davies assisted by Nate Bush. The game hung in the balance at 1-1 for much of the first half, then with under four minutes to go Jordan Lambotte connected on a volley from the top of the box to put Savannah ahead 2-1.
Savannah extended the lead 11 minutes into the 2nd half on an excellently taken direct free kick from Kris O’Neal. The Hornets worked hard to create late chances but the Savannah backline was impenetrable in the 2nd half.
The Hornets fell 3-1 to close out the season. Chillicothe will graduate five senior starters in Coy Jones, Landen Longo, Ryan Schuler, Lake Englert and Brennen Fitzpatrick.
